Cars are put through a rigorous road safety test and receive either a white taxi badge — allowing them to pick up from the street and taxi ranks — or a yellow minicab badge meaning, by law, they must be ordered in advance.

Responsibility for ensuring that only licensed vehicles are working in the area falls on the district council, which holds regular crackdowns to ensure drivers and cars comply.

However, no such checks have been made by the council since last Christmas, said the driver, which was also confirmed by Shute End officials.

A spokeswoman for the district council said a new enforcement officer had recently taken up the post and that a blitz on licensing enforcement would be held “shortly”.

She added: “We have received a complaint about one company in the last week which we are looking into.

“We would always urge people to check that the vehicle they are getting into has a plate showing it is licensed and that the driver is displaying a badge.”

Anyone wanting to report an unlicensed taxi or minicab can call Wokingham District Council on (0118) 974 6353.